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Cheaper Domestic Flights In Indonesia Ideal For Adventurous Bali Travelers

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The Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, has committed to reducing the cost of domestic airfares in the country.

This will have a huge impact on domestic tourists and their ability to explore their home nation, and it poses some incredible opportunities for adventurous Bali holidaymakers to explore more of what the archipelago has to offer. 

Plane Wing In Sky At Sunset.jpg

Minister Uno confirmed that a new policy is in the process of being drawn up by Minister for Investment Luhur Bisan Pandjaitan.

He explained, “Minister Luhut is addressing the cost of airline tickets intending to announce breakthrough measures before the change of the Presidential Cabinet and the swearing in of the next government.” 

The Tourism Minister revealed that these airfare cost cuts could be in effect by early October 2024.

He noted that there are several ways in which the government is seeking to reduce domestic airfares, including cutting VAT, cutting import tax on aviation equipment, and reducing the cost of aviation fuel. Leaders are aiming for a 10% reduction in domestic airfare costs overall. 

Minister Pandjaitan spoke of his commitment to cutting the cost of airfares back in July 2024.

In a statement issued on his social media accounts, the Minister of Investment and Maritime Affairs explained, “We are preparing several steps for flight efficiency and reducing ticket prices, for example, evaluating aircraft operating costs.”

He added, “We are also formulating a strategy to reduce the CBH (Cost Per Block Hour) value based on the type of aircraft and flight service.”

Minister Pandjaitan explained that Indonesia’s domestic airfares are more expensive than those of many neighboring nations.

He said, “Compared to ASEAN countries and the high-population countries, Indonesia’s flight ticket price will be the second most expensive after Brazil.”

A cut in the cost of domestic airfares would have a huge benefit for international tourists visiting Bali.

Not only does the anticipated airfare cut help reduce the cost of transiting Jakarta for long-haul travelers, but it also makes it more affordable to explore regions outside of Bali.

For example, Yogyakarta has been noted by the travel booking platform Agoda to be one of the most affordable and culturally dense regions in Indonesia to explore.

With multiple flights daily connecting Bali with Yogyakarta, tourists planning a 14-day holiday in Indonesia would be wise to consider incorporating a second or even third province into their itinerary.

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It is easy to travel from Bali Province to Lombok Province, which also includes the Gili Islands, by boat, but hopping on a short-haul domestic flight to other Indonesian provinces is just as easy, and it is about to be just as affordable. 

Gili-Meno-Ariel

Flights from Bali to Jakarta take just 1 hour and 55 minutes, and flights from Denpasar to the heart of Sumatra, Medan, are 6 hours long.

With direct flight services to Sumba and Labuan Bajo taking just one hour, the options for adventure are truly endless.

Bali is the gateway to an archipelago of authentic and immersive travel experiences that holidaymakers are gaining easier access to by the day.

I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, is the only commercial airport in Bali, operating both domestic and international terminals.

Cultural-Village-in-Sumba-Indonesia

In 2024, the airport is set to experience its busiest clear since bordered reopened after lockdown.

Major international airlines like Etihad have announced increased flight services to keep up with demand, just as new airlines are launching new services to the international schedule.

Starting on the 20th of October, Korean Air will pare a twice-daily flight between Seoul Incheon and Denpasar. 

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Shorty

Saturday 28th of September 2024

With respect Minister Uno.

Please stop throwing handfuls of rice at lumbung doors in the hope some will stick.

Also please stop hijacking stuff for yourself and your portfolio.

Domestic airfare reduction will overwhelmingly benefit locals.

The flow on effect to international tourists will be bugger all.

Oliver

Friday 27th of September 2024

Yesterday Denpasar- Hong Kong was cheaper than Denpasar-JKT and it s not the 1st time even at low season!!! And I am not talking about DPS-Singapore or BKK ! Go figure. Crazy really

Shorty

Saturday 28th of September 2024

@Oliver,

So what.

Pick in isolation any destination, a variety of travel URLs on a given date. Prices will change.

Market reality.

Operating costs for short haul are higher. Passenger numbers and load factor, fuel...

Add in most aircraft used for international flights are far more fuel and maintenance efficient.

Mike Croney

Saturday 28th of September 2024

@Oliver,

Have a look at the price of jet fuel and nonbio diesel in Indonesia compared to elsewhere. It's some of the most expensive on the world, especially with local purchasing power.

Mike Croney

Friday 27th of September 2024

How about addresses the elephant in the room effectively? The state owned enterprises (BUMN) that monopolize almost every sector in Indonesia leading to high prices due to the inefficiencies through lack of competition. Pertamina, Angkasa Pura, the list goes on... Open the market to competition and prices go down and efficiency up. Basic economics 101

Exp

Sunday 29th of September 2024

@Mike Croney, "Inefficiencies through lack of competition"? That is by design. BUMN companies are used by the politicians and elite for whatever purposes they see fit. Many of these are now in severe financial condition with huge debt.

Mike Croney

Saturday 28th of September 2024

@Johnson, it's basic economics. Australia is a bit different due to its isolated position and those inherent costs that it brings. As well as massively inflated labour costs compared its neighbours.

Johnson

Friday 27th of September 2024

@Mike Croney, Yeah, that strategy doesn’t work - prime example: Australia.

David Baker

Friday 27th of September 2024

It is a great initiative that the minister is looking to cut the cost of domestic airfares. However, if tourists are entering and leaving Indonesia via Bali? They can potentially have to pay the Visa on Arrival fee twice as they are leaving the island and then return! So where is the saving? I have had to do this on many occasions. It is so unfair.

Shorty

Saturday 28th of September 2024

@David Baker,

The VOA is for Indonesia, not just Bali. I think you're confusing it with the Tourist Tax.

On the latter - easy.

You bought it on entry to Bali and got the Q code.

Go elsewhere in RI and return to Bali. There's no checkpoint(s)

Asked to show you've paid?

Shut up about your travels and show the code.

Mike Croney

Saturday 28th of September 2024

@David Baker, Bali is part of Indonesia, you don't pay visa costs domestically in and out of Bali.

Dan

Friday 27th of September 2024

@David Baker, you don't pay the fee returning to bali from a domestic location, which was the point of the article.